Joining SMWS requires a membership which, as well as some other IB vagaries, was intimidating to Hamish. Now he wholeheartedly embraces indies but he shares why, until now, he’s never signed up.

9/10 klaxon: As an Englishman paying little attention to English whisky, Fergus was surprised when a friend encouraged him to try Whittaker’s First Release. Yet it might just be his WOTY for 2024.

When is travel retail not actually travel retail? And when should it be everywhere retail? Dougie gets ripped into Bruichladdich’s hidden gem amidst flying angst and acronyms.

If we’re serious about keeping whisky fun; should we really care too much about analysis? Over a Thompson Bros collab with Campervan, Ainsley fights for the case for the blind sofa pour.

After nine years of serious flavour chasing, Innes discusses the typical flavour-arc of a whisky botherer, and hopes this 45yo Signatory can deliver that apparent holy grail of ‘tropical fruit’.

The last piece in the trilogy of Murdo’s trip to Scotland and the Highlands, touring Dornoch and Clynelish. Over a pricey distillery hand-fill Clynelish he reflects on what made it all so special.

Murdo’s Whisky Monday saga continues; a Tomatin trip then north to Dornoch Castle. Showing remarkable restraint, he returns home to his Thompson Bros 2009 Teaninich 12yo to reminisce.

It’s been weeks since Murdo joined the fun in Glasgow, but he’s still buzzing about all the fun; and the people who have become friends since. He reminisces over two Springbank Cage prizes.

Glasgow has been generous with their whisky recently. And fearless; since they ship to anonymous writer without obligation. Is this confidence? Fergus, Hamish and Drummond dig in.

Breaking his bottle ban (he can’t help himself, we can all relate) Earie picks up a rarely-spotted peat and sherry Bladnoch. Was it worth the potential wrath of his significant other?

Innes gets giddy while visiting the hidden gem that is Glen Scotia. Full of the distillery-visit-glow, he snags two single casks to compare with a favourite at home, wondering why it’s still ‘hidden’.

Broddy’s favourite distillery, Millstone, collides with his favourite sherry cask, just as the owner is hosting tastings in his local retailers, but it’s his wife’s birthday. We know what happens, don’t we.

Continuing the theme this week on age statements, and over Highland Park’s new 12yo, Wally shares his thoughts on why age statements don’t matter in 2024, and also why they absolutely do.

A nice segue on from yesterday’s article, Nick thinks about age statements with Ardnamurchan’s latest USA exclusive ArdnAmerica release. Cue NYC backdrops & deploy the Doog!

Adding to their Small Batch series, cult upstart Glasgow have found traction with Cask Strength 1770 releases. Hamish, Fergus and Tav buddy up on the latest Peated PX.

Hamish glances back to whisky past, wondering where he’d start today. In picking up the latest Ardnamurchan Cask Strength, he knows where he’d be happy to end up, and tries to explore… why?

Tav and Wally wade in together on a brand new Scapa. Now there’s something we don’t read too often. This one is the affordable 10 year old, and they both agree on something. The fruit!

We tend to avoid politics at Dramface. Ogie does the same at Chez Shaw in NC, USA. But his politically opposed pals visit him with different ideas. Ogie douses them with Scarabus 10. Good job.

Put off by the VC prices, Murdo heads home only to regret not buying. Still dreaming of that warehouse tasting, he heads back once more, halfway around the world for a memorable Deanston.

Ainsley returns from his first visit to Glasgow, low on health and finances, but high on life. He shares why; but needs to pull Wally in for a review of a special Glasgow oloroso single cask.